OUR VIEW: Hit-and-run driver has chance to seek forgiveness

Only by stepping forward to take responsibility for Friday's tragic hit-and-run accident can the person responsible begin to seek forgiveness, let Jimmy Moore rest in peace and offer his family and friends can find the comfort they deserve.

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

Writer

Posted Jun. 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 18, 2013 at 6:21 PM

Posted Jun. 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 18, 2013 at 6:21 PM

» Social News

The loss of James “Jimmy” Moore, killed Friday night when his motorized wheelchair was struck by a car that never stopped, has sent shockwaves through Somerset. Moore, 65, was a beloved community member who never let the cerebral palsy he was born with hinder his zest for life. “His independence was everything,” his brother, Ray Moore, said. “In his mind, he was not disabled.”

Moore was a social butterfly, regularly taking part in activities at Murphy Village, the housing complex for elderly and disabled residents where he lived. He was also a communicant at Grace Gospel Church in Swansea, where “they loved him, and he loved them,” his brother said. The biggest love of his life was the Red Sox, Housing Authority Executive Director Lucia Casey said. He was the former president of the Russ Gibson Fan Club, which he founded, even throwing out the first pitch to Gibson at Fenway Park in 1967.

Moore was a man about town as he would motor his wheelchair to pay a visit to nearby businesses and was a familiar face at town events. “Just a couple of weeks ago, he drove his wheelchair to Town Meeting,” Somerset Police Chief Joseph Ferreira said. “He sought me out and let me know that he purposely came out ... to support the police.” It’s clear that Ferreira and Somerset Police are taking the hit-and-run personally.

Moore was returning home from the local AmVets post where his brother, Dan, was a DJ for a clamboil benefit, when he was hit about a half-mile away on Read Road by a driver who never stopped after striking Moore’s motorized wheelchair. Moore was found alive in the grass nearby after being knocked out of his chair, which Ferreira said was “crushed.” Police had responded to a 9-1-1 call at 11:43 p.m. Friday. He was brought to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died an hour later.

Police are now looking for the owner of a dark, “silvery green” 1998 or 1999 Toyota Avalon, which they determined was involved after finding a front lower grill and fog light assembly found at the scene, at Southway Drive, 100 yards from South Elementary School. “We’ve visited people that own that type of car,” Ferreira said. “We’re trying to track down whatever we can.”

It’s understandable to see how this tragic accident could have happened. Moore’s wheelchair was struck late at night on a narrow road. The street light closest to the accident was not working. Moore’s wheelchair had flags and reflectors, but was not equipped with lights like his previous chair that had to be replaced recently. What is not understandable, however, is how someone could just leave this man for dead. It’s not just a matter of someone not knowing what they hit or even panicking and taking off. If that were the case, this person would have stepped forward by now.

Page 2 of 2 - Sadly, it has now turned from a tragic, but understandable, accident into a shocking crime. His brother, Ray Moore, initially expressed compassion for the driver, who “was going to have to live with this for the rest of his life.” But with the perpetrator still at large, “Now it turned from compassion for the person to outrage.” As of this writing, no witnesses, nor the driver, had come forward.

Somerset and state police have developed a number of leads and have vowed to continue the hunt. It is not too late for the perpetrator to come forward on his or her own terms, taking responsibility and expressing remorse that will allow Moore’s family and the community to find the healing and forgiveness that Moore’s Christian faith would call for. Friends and family will pay their respects to Moore on Thursday, with calling hours from 4 to 6 p.m. at Grace Gospel Church in Swansea, followed by his funeral.

“It’s absolutely shocking that somebody could do this and flee the scene like they did,” Ferreira said. Only by stepping forward to take responsibility can the person behind the wheel begin to seek forgiveness, let Jimmy rest in peace and let his family and friends find the comfort they deserve.

If anyone has information related to the hit-and-run accident or has seen a 1998 or ’99 silvery green Toyota Avalon with damage, call Somerset Police at 508-679-2138 with information.